PITTSBURGH -- Steelers offensive lineman Max Starks traveled to Afghanistan to visit servicemen and women stationed at Camp Eggers.

Starks and NFL stars Patrick Kerney of the Atlanta Falcons and Bryce Fisher of the Seattle Seahawks just returned from a 12-day NFL-USO tour to U.S. military bases in the Balkans and Persian Gulf to visit American soldiers.

Starks said he went to Kabul because he wanted to say thanks.

"He's continually thanking us for our service here. And I told him they are multi-millionaires, they don't have to be here. They are not trained to be here. They weren't ordered to be here -- although we all consider this an honor to be here. Yet, they sacrifice their time away from family on the off-season, as well as their health because, you know, we're in a combat zone," said Master Sgt. Traci Williams.

"Sometimes it's hard because the work is hard. But things like this really make a bright spot in your day. And everybody here needs to be looking for those," said Lt. Col. Thomas Paul.

Dozens lined up to talk to Starks and to get that famous signature -- not just on his card, but on footballs they brought from all over the world.

Click here to read blog entries from Starks and other NFL players on the USO military tour.